Dimmer-switch for lighting-circuits.



W. KAISLING. DIMMER SWITCH FOR LIGHTING CIRCUITS.`

APPLlc/Tlou mw ocT. 25. 1913. K

Patented Apr. 11,1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIALI KAISLING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB. TO KELLOGG SWITCHBOARD & SUPPLY COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

DIMMER-SWITCH FOR LIGHTING-CIRCUITS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1916.

Application led October 25, 1913. Serial No. 797,170.

1 translating device such as a lamp.

My invention for instance may be advantageously used 1n connection w1th automobiles where the 'headlights are designed to cast a very bright light so long as the4 au.

tomobiie 'is used over country roads, but which Tights are designed to cast a less brilliant be in of light when used in the city to prevent iinding of persons within the range c? its rays. Also the invention would be of use if on country roads it were de sired temporarily to reduce lthe brillianey of the seam when passing another vehicle or pedestrian.

' The object of the Structure of my invention is to provide a simple, effective and self-contained switching mechanism which can be advantageous]yv placed to the uses above outlined.

I Will explain in detail one form which my invention may take by referring more particularly to the accompanying drawing, in `Which- Figure 1 is a side view of a switch constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a top zView thereof; Fig. 3 is a bottom view thereof; Fig. 4 is a side view at right angles to that of Fig. l; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line awa of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 6 is a view similar' to thatI of Fig. 5

showing the movable switch element in its alternative position.

My improved switch structur comprises a face plate 1 which carriles all of the elements thereof to thus provide a self-contained device. This face plate carries a plunger 2A to which a fingerpicce 3 is fastened preferably by means of a pin 4. The plunger has a shoulder as at 5 so that the movement ofrthe plunger upwardly, that is to the right, as shown in Fig.l 6 is limited. Two studs 7, 7 are ri reted or otherwise faslower face of this insulating plate two con-,

nectors l() and i are mounted and held in place by screw.` These connectors may be of any desired form, being of course insulated from one another by being mount.- ed upon the insulating plate. The same screws l2, there being two for each connector also serve to hold in place, two springs 13 and 14, which springs are preferably L-shaped as shown more clearly in Figs.v 5 and 6. These screws likewise hold in place two strips 15 and 16 whose general outline is shown most clearly in Fig. 1. Between the strip 15 and the bent portion ofthe spring 13 and likewise between 'the strip 16 and bent portion of the spring 14 the two terminals of a resistance coil 17 are secured so that the two terminals of this resistance coil are secured respectively to the two springs 13 and 14. As will of course be clear, the spring 13 on account of the screw connection between it and the connector 10 is in electrical contact with the connecfrr l0 and similarly spring 14 is in electrical contact with the connector 11.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 5, I show two lamps 18 and 15) which for instance may be the two lamps of automobile headlights, which lamps are connected in series with a battery 20 and the two conneetors l() and 11. 'lhe plunger' 2 carries a sleeve 21 of insulating material fastened thereon and an annular contact element' 22. Thus when the plunger is in the position of Fig. 5 the contact element 22 closes circuit between the springs l and 14, whereas if the plunger 2 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, then the contact element 22 is removed from association with the springs 13 and 14 and these springs rest against-the insulating sleeve 21.

It will thusbe seen that should the switch be in the position of Fig. 5, a circuit might be traced from the' battery 20, through the lamp 18, connector 10, spring 13,c0ntact ring 22, spring 14, connector 11, lamp 19, to battery at`20. In this way there would be no resistance in series in this circuit, the full battery voltage being used to light the lamps 18 and 1.() to their full b rilliancy. Now should the plunger' be moved to the right to occupy the position of Fig. 6, then the circuit would be traced from the battery 20 through. the lamp 18, conductor 10, resistance wire 17, connector 1l, lamp 19, to the battery 2.0. Under these conditions the lamps/18 19 will be considerably dimmed in view of the inclusion of the resistance 17 and thus the brilliancy of the beam materially reduced. Then by merelyY pushing the plunger 2 toward the left back to the position of Fig. 5 the lamps will `again be lighted to their full brilliancy.

. ent is 1. A device of the character described comprising a framework, circuitterminals on said framework, a stationary switch element secured to said framework including a contact spring, a movable switch element carried by said framework, and a resistance element carried by said framework bridged across the said terminals and having its 'circuit controllable by said movable switch element and said contact spring.

2. A device of the character described comprising a framework, a pair of contact terminals mounted 0n said framework, a pair of switching springs mounted on said framework, a resistance element bridged across the said switching springs and secured to said framework, and a movable switch element for said switching springs.

3. A device of the character described comprising a framework, a pair of contact terminals mounted on said framework, a pair of switching springs mounted on said framework, a resistance element connected to said contact terminals and t0 the said switching springs, and a Inovable switch element for said switching springs.

4. A device of the character described comprising a framework, a pair 0f contact terminals mounted on said framework, a pair of switching springs mounted on said framework, a resistance element carried by said framework encircling said switching l,springs and bridged across said switching springs, and a movable switch element for said switching springs.

5. In a device of the character described in combination with a face plate, an insulating plate carried thereby, connecting termiy nals mounted on said insulating plate,

switching springs carried by said insulatinfrr plate, and a resistance wire carried by said insulating plate bridged across said switching springs, and a movable switch ing plate, and a resistance wire carried by said insulating plate encircling said switching springs and bridged across said switching springs, and a movable switch element reciprocatingly held in said framework adapted to control the circuit through said resistance Wire.

7. In a device of the character described in combination with a face plate, an insulating plate carried thereby, connecting terminals mounted on said insulating plate, switching springs carried by said insulating plate, a resistance wire carried by said insulating platel bridged across said switching springs and secured thereto by means of resilient connecting springs, and a movable switch element reciprocatingly held in said framework adapted to control the circuit through said resistance wire.

8. In a device of the character described in combination with a face plate, an in-A sulating plate carried thereby, connecting .terminals mounted on said insulating plate, switching springs carnied by said lnsulating plate, and a resistance wire carried by sa1d insulating plate encircling said switching springs and bridged across said switching springs, a movable annular switch ele-- ment reclprocatingly held for controlling the circuit through said resistance wire, and a plunger upon which said movable switch clement is insulatingly mounted.

9. A device of the character described comprising a framework, electrical terminals, a stationary switch element and aV resistance coil all mounted upon said framework, a two-position movable switch element adapted to place a shunt across or to connect said resistance across the said electrical terminals depending upon which one of its two positions said movable switch element is resting in.

10. A device of the character described comprising a framework, a pair of terminals secured to said framework, a stationary switch element secured to said framework and a resistance coil secured to said framework, a movable switch element adapted to assume either one of two positions, and means for placing a shunt across'saidA terminals or for bridging the said resistance element across said terminals depending upon which one of the ,two positions the said movable switch element is in.

11. A device of the character' described comprising a mounting plate, electrical terminals secured thereto, a switch element and a resistance element mounted upon said plate and electrically connected to said terminals, and a two position movable switch element for directly connecting the said terminals or for connecting said resistance element across said terminals depending upon the position of said movable switchA element.

l2. An electrical switch comprising a mounting plate, electrical terminals,aswitch element and a resistance element all secured to said mounting plate, a two position movable switch element for conpmtinn with saidirst switch element, and means for operating said movable switch element to con nect said resistance across said terminals or for directly connecting said terminals.

Signed my me at Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois,'in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM KAISLING.

Witnesses:

GEORGE E. MUELLER, M. R. RoCHFoRn. 

